Bottle sterilizer



May 20, 1952 E. G. THOMPSGN BOTTLE STERILIZER 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed July 10, 1948 43431., Zzlom sam Snnentor attorneys May 20, 1952 Filed July 10, 1948 E. G. THOMPSON BOTTLE STERILIZER HIHIIE 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 EARL. G.-THOMP$0N Zinnentor Gttomeg Patented May 20, 1952 UlTED STATES 1 PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

1 My invention relates to a bottle sterilizer. More particularly, my invention relates to a collapsible bottle sterilizer which is particularly useful for sterilizing baby bottles. It is to be expressly understood that my invention is not" limited to a sterilizer for baby bottles and that the same is set forth by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

At times, it is necessary to travel with a nursing baby and the problem then arises as to how the baby bottles can be sterilized. Also, around ones home, a compact and collapsible bottle sterilizer is desired. It is an object of my invention to provide a bottle sterilizer whichmeets the needs above described.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a bottle sterilizer which employs a minimum amount of water and hence a maximum utilization of the heat employed to provide the sterilizing heated water vapor or low pressure steam.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a. bottle sterilizer which is capable of sterilizing bottles standing on end with the open end portion downwardly and which sterilizer can be employed to sterflize either the small mouth type baby bottles or the large mouth type baby bottles.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a device which functions not only as a bottle sterilizer, but also which may be utilized as a bottle carrying rack or storage rack for baby bottles, filled or empty.

It is a further object of my invention to provide devices which are simple in construction, capable of mass production, sturdy and reliable.

The above mentioned general objects of my invention, together with others inherent in the same, are attained by the devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings throughout which like reference numerals indicate like parts:

Figure l is a perspective view of a device embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view, with parts in end elevation of the same, the handle bein also shown by dotted lines to indicate its pivotal connection;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View in side elevation, on a smaller scale, and taken substantially at right angles to Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detached sectional view with parts in elevation of a portion of the rack means shown in the preceding figures.

Referring now to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, a tray means comprises the tray I and a cover 8 therefor. The

cover 8 is removable and rests on a shelf 9 in the upper edge portion of the tray 1. The shelf 9 is best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The cover 8 is provided with a plurality of sets of depressions I0 and II, each set of which is concentric with an opening I2 (see also Fig. 2 of the drawings). The depression I0 is of a size to snugly fit and receive therein the opening of a standard wide mouth baby bottle, and the depression I8 is of a size to snugly fit and receive therein a standard small mouth baby bottle. The opening I2 functions as an exhaust port for water vapor or low pressure steam created by heating water disposed in the tray 1.

Flat straps I3 are preferably made of spring steel and thus form leaf spring means. Intermediate their length, the straps I3 are pivotally connected to the tray 1 as by pivot means I4.

A rack for holding the upper portion of vertically disposed bottles comprises a rim portion I5 and rods IS. The rods l6 function to provide a plurality of individual compartments to support bottles, such as six compartments. The rim section I5 may be made up of two members which are identical in construction and which are U-shaped members. Then the U-shaped members are mated and may be held in place by crimping end members I! thereover. The end members I! are provided with openings I8 (see also Fig. 4) to receive tines I9 carried by the straps I3. The longitudinal rod I6 is carried by end members I! and the transverse rods are carried by rim portions I5. This may be accomplished by having reduced end portions on the rods interfitting with openings in the members I! and I5 as shown.

As best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, straps I3 are movable from'a down or full line position shown in Fig. 3 to the up or dotted line position shown. When in the dotted line position, the lower portion of each strap I3 will engage the tray I before thestrap I3 assumes a vertical position. Thus when the rackcomprising members I5I6-I'I is disposed between two flat straps I3, there will be a resilient pressure urging strap I3 towards said rack.

Handle or bail 20 is pivotally connected by pivot means 2| at its respective end portions to the end members I I. Washer means 22 (see Fig. 1) space each end portion of handle or bail 20 from the end members I1. The spacing provided by the washer means 22 is such that a strap I3 may have a portion between a lower end portion of the handle 20 and an end member I'I.

Assuming that the device is collapsed, then the handle is turned so that its leg portions are parallel to the rack |5-|6-I'I. Then one strap I3 is moved from the full line position shown in Fig. 3 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3 and the tines 19 of the strap l3 are inserted in openings l 8 in an end member l1. Next, the strap I3 at the opposite end of the device is moved from the full line position shown in Fig. 3 to the dotted line position and its tines is are inserted in the other openings I8 at the opposite endof the rack l5-i6-l-l; There will be sufiicient spring pressure, because of the nature of straps l3, to tend to hold the parts in the position indicated. As a lock to hold such parts inposition, the handle 20 is turned 90 and the lower end portions will overlay a portion of the-straps: Brand.

The cover 8 is readily movable and is preferably.

removed to insert water in the tray 1. Then bottles of either the large mouth style or the small mouth style are inserted with the-mouth down over the openings I2 and interfitting with depresisons ID or II depending. on the style of the bottle. As heat is applied, water vapor or low pressure steam arises out opening l2. and gradually replaces the air in the bottle and sterilizes the inside of the baby bottle. Very little water need be placed in the tray I as little water vapor or low lpressure steam is lost during the sterilizing. process.

From the foregoing description of devices illustrating my invention, it is obvious that I have provided a baby bottle sterilizer which comprises atray member 1' and a cover 8, said cover 8 having spaced, openings in the upper surface thereof through which heated water vapor or low pressure steam.may pass and over which openings may be. positioned, the open portions of bottles to be sterilized; The tray-member I and cover member 8 thus function as a. generator means for heated water vapor or lowpressure steam and are so designated in .the claims. Also, I have provided spaced rack means'to said tray member and means to collapsibly; interconnect said tray means andsaid rack-means. Furthermore, I have provided depressions inthe cover of the tray so that the depressions will interfit with standard smallmouth bottles-.as well as standard wide mouth baby bottles; to 4 I have indicated straps, l3-which are pivoted to the tray andpdetachably connected withthe rack as a means to collapsibly interconnect the tray and the rack. These: general features of my invention together with more speciflc'features are set forth in the foregoing specification and in the annexed claims.

Obviously, changes may be madeinthe forms, dimensions, and arrangement ofth'eeparts; of

my device, without departing ,fromthe principle:

thereof.

I claim:

1. In a bottle sterilizer, a. generator meansfor heated water vaporcomprising a liquid container tray means and a. cover means. therefor; said? cover means having openings in theiupperz surface portion thereof to. provide. therethrough a source of'heated water vapor and to IBOBWGLOVBI said openings. the open end portions of.bottles to be sterilized; bottle supportingrackrmeans disposed in vertical spaced relation to saidgenerator means and providing asupport for the closed end portions of-vertically disposed :bottles having. their open end portions disposed over said-openings. insaidcovermeans; said rack In Figs. 1.

means having tine receiving openings in opposite edge portions thereof; connecting strap means between said tray means and said rack means comprising diametrically disposed spaced apart strap means each hingedly secured to said tray means intermediate its length on hinges parallel to an edge of said tray means, abutting at the lower end portion said tray means, and terminating in a plurality of tines interfitting in the said openings-in an;edge portion of' saidzrack means; and handle bail "means 'pivotedto said rack means intermediate the length of each leg thereof and having the lower end of each leg movable into and out of outside surface contacting relation with the upper portion of one of said strap means and securing the tines of said strap means in the. openings of. said rack means.

2; In a bottle sterilizer, a generator means for heated'water vapor comprising a liquid container tray means and a cover means therefor, said cover means having openings in the upper surface portion thereof to =provide-therethrough a source of heated water vapor and to'receive oversaid openings the open end portions of bottles to be sterilized; bottle supporting rack means disposed invertical spaced relation to said generator means andv providing a support for the closed end portions of vertically disposed bottles having their open'end portions disposed over said openings in said cover means of said tray means, said rack means havingtine receiving openings in opposite edge portions: thereof; connecting strap..means between said tray means and'said rack means comprising diametrically disposed spaced apart strap means each hingedly secured to said tray means intermediate its length on hinges parallel to: an edge of. said tray means, abutting. at the lower end portion said tray means, and: terminating at its.upper:portion ina plurality of tines interfitting in'the said openings in an edge. portion of said rack'means; andspaced apart locking pawl means. each pivoted itoopposed portions of.said. rack-means atthe level of said upper portions of said strap means andeach having aportion thereofmovable into and out of outside surface contacting'relation with the upper portion of one of said strap means and securing thetines of saidstrapmeans in the openings of said rack means.

3. In-abottle sterilizer, a generator means for heated water vaporcomprising-ailiquid container tray means and a cover means therefor, saidcover means having openings in-the upper'surface portion thereof to provide therethrough a source of heated watervapor and to' receive over said'openings the open endportions of bottles'to-be sterilized; bottle'suppo-rtingrack means disposed in vertical spaced relation to said generator means and providing a support for the'closed'end portions of' vertically disposedbottles having their open end portions disposed over said openings in said cover means, said rack means havingtine receiving. openings in opposite edge portions thereof ;..connecting,f1at spring. strap means between said tray means and said rackmeans comprising-diametrically,disposedspaced apart strap means each h-ingedly'secured .tosaid tray means intermediate its lengthon hinges parallel to an edge-cor saidtray means abutting at the lower end 5 portion a said. tray means, terminating in a plurality: of tinesinterfitting in thersaid openings in an: edge: portion ofsaidrack means-and" resilientlyurged toward said: rack means; and: spaced 7 apart :locking means 1 each carried by, said-rack 5 means and securing the tines or said strap means Number in the openings of said rack means. 1,256,416 EARL G. THOMPSON. 2,162,228 2,404,532 REFERENCES CITED 5 The following references are of record in the N b file of this patent: 3 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 253,282 Number Name Date 10 355,564

749,291 Hicks Jan. 12, 1904 Name Date Woods Feb. 12, 1918 Pierce June 13, 1939 Rocker July 23', 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain June 19, 1907 Great Britain June 1'7, 1926 France June 21, 1905 

